American Fashion in the 1920s and Early 1930's

Few periods demonstrate the way fashions reflect their own time as does the 1920s. The fashion of the 1920s was focused on social realignments and youth; it involved feminine liberation. Wars and technological developments produced rapid changes that led to a quest for the excitement, to restlessness and even to violence and destruction. The war years had brought on harsh realities and evoked a desire to do one's bit that touched all levels of society. People found their prior sedentary life boring and had little desire to return to it. To fit into the pattern of this new version of the good life, fashions became more informal and less complicated. Feminine liberation found freedom in discarding the corset. For the first time in centuries the women's legs were exposed and freed for mobility and action. To gain equality with men and to resemble them, women flattened their breasts and hips and cut their hair. The 1920s bob and boyish deal were the period's own version of unisex. In the 1920s motion pictures exerted an ever-increasing impact on the American scene. Movie stars brought viewers adventure, a shimmering aura of wealth, beauty and romance. Films gave a semblance of reality to fantasies and aroused the public to new hopes, tastes, and appetites. Catalogs, such as Sears, Roebuck and Co. began to include fashion worn by movie stars such as Clara Bow, Gloria Swanson, and Joan Crawford. In the year of 1920, skirts became a little shorter, figures somewhat slimmer, bosoms smaller and waistline being naturally placed. In 1921, dresses were designed to fall in an unbroken line from shoulder to hem. Worn loose, slightly belted at the normal waist, this was to be the silhouette of most of the decade. Coats had become shorter, and some hair was obviously cut but was kept soft-looking with side curls. There was an increasing interest in oxfords and pumps. 1923's fashions harked back not so much to those of 1913, but...

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...﻿Women’s Fashion In The 1920s
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...turn put a strain on the familial bonds of those trying to survive the drastic transition between these two decades as men went to drastic lengths to support their families, as seen in the film Cinderella Man.
Canadian citizens of the 1920s lived in a hazy dream where money was as easily gained as it was spent. Canadians were facing a time of prosperity, where wages were high and unemployment was low. Such prosperity created a sense of monetary and economic security within Canada and the more Canadians earned, the more they wanted to gain. Canadians were willing to make risky decisions and so, many saw excitement and a quick- rise to wealth in the stock markets. Companies would sell stocks, or shares, in their business to investors. In return, investors were entitled to a share of any profits a company earned. In order to increase profit, many began to buy on margin. To elaborate, they would purchase a stock with a small down payment and borrow the rest based on the value of the stock as collateral from banks. Most citizens thought that the prosperity of the twenties would last far into the future and would allow for a luxurious and care- free life where no one would have to pay attention to possible future issues.
In contrast, the 1930s saw the end of prosperity as depression quickly set in. On October 29, 1929, better known as Black Tuesday, the stock market had reached its peak. Those with many shares and an excess of cash began...

...Roaring Fashion in 1920’s
“It is unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure.” Clothing changed with womens changing roles in modern society, particularly with the idea of freedom for people worldwide. In the “Roaring Twenties”, fashion entered the modern era, impacted lives of kids, men, and women driving them to dress rebellious.
Prior to WWI, kids still dressed more or less the way they had for a millennium, like young adults. “By 1920, clothes were very much designed with children in mind, and attention was paid not just to style, but to the comfort and needs of children” (“1920 Children's Fashion Facts”). Although, comfort was achieved in both style and fabric, whereas for decades everyone had worn many layers, now a summer outfit is only one layer. Therefore, in winter, clothing was kept with a minimal layer. “When people look back on the era, they report 1920’s children’s fashion facts more in light of girls’ clothing than boys’, but both enjoyed radical change” (“1920 Children's Fashion Facts”). Additionally, girls’ particularly spent many centuries being restricted in appearance and movement, so they always had the biggest benefits from new fashions. Yet, boys’ wore knee-length trousers year-round,...

...Women’s Fashion in the 1920’sFashion became a large influence on women in the 1920’s. This allowed women to become independent and free from the society. Many designers such as, Coco Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin and Salvatore Ferragamo have made an enormous impact on the evolution of women’s clothing. Styles of clothing have changed overtime, especially during the 1920’s era. During this time, hemlines became shorter, clothing was more revealing, women dressed freely and the sophistication and elegance of the clothing was drifting farther apart. Also bobbed haircuts became an in style phenomenon. Clothing had definitely become a big effect on women. Women were no longer treated as possessions, but as equals to men. Clothing was made more comfortably and sportswear was also allowed to be worn. The changing of this style now effected the movement of women and the way they stood or walked. In conclusion, women’s fashion has dramatically evolved from the 1920’s to present day, as shown through designers, change of style and the effect it had on women.
Coco Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin and Salvatore Ferragamo were three of most colossal fashion designers during the 1920’s. Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was an influential, iconic and inspiration to women in the fashion industry....

...﻿Background Information on 1920’s and 1930’s America
1. What was the Great War, how did it begin, and how long did it last? Which countries were involved? World War I, also known as the Great War, was fought between 1914 and 1918, and it set the stage for politics, culture, and economics in the twentieth century. Serbia and other Balkan states gained their independence in 1878 after nearly five hundred years of Ottoman rule. Nations from both alliances wanted to increase their influence over the Balkans. On June 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian archduke Franz Ferdinand (1863–1914) and his wife were assassinated by a Bosnian Serb student while visiting the capital city of Sarajevo in the province of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Throughout the war, the Triple Entente (which eventually included Greece and Romania) was called the Allies , and the Triple Alliance (which eventually included the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria) was called the Central Powers. Before the war was over, thirty-two countries would join the Allies.
("World War I." U*X*L Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Ed. Lawrence W. Baker and Sarah Hermsen. Vol. 8. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 1714-1720. Student Resources in Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.)
2. What was the general effect of The Great War on international economies? What was the state of Germany’s economy after the Great War? Who was responsible for...

...Fashion for women in the 1920’s
She sits lazily draped over a bar stool, casually swaying to the persuasive rhythm of West End Blues. She effortlessly pulls on the cigarette in her hand, deeply inhaling the smoke and allowing it to slowly escape her deep crimson lips, a hazy atmosphere enclosing her. Men cannot resist her whilst women whisper in hushed tones about the inappropriate length of her dress. She sighs, tucking her cropped hair behind her ears. She is the modern women- independent and exuberating style and luxury. Scandalous and spontaneous. She is the 1920’s flapper.
Whilst performing research on women’s fashion in the 1920’s, I became well acquainted with the “modern woman” of the day, the flapper. My fascination and admiration of this fierce new breed of woman only grew stronger the more I poured over books, web articles and photos. The flapper was not only elegant and lavishly dressed in beautiful clothing, but also the attraction of every party, instantly drawing others in with her effortless charm and spontaneous attitude. The more I learn, the more I desperately long to be a part of this spectacular group of women. I am sure many women in the 1920’s expressed this same longing, and that is why the flapper style became wildly popular in America and Europe during the twenties.
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...﻿Stephanie Silva
ENGL 2123A
Dr. Watson
16 February 2015
America, the Literary
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Before the age of colonization, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, America was uncharted territory. It was fresh, new, and relatively unclaimed. Because of its novelty and unfamiliarity, the first pieces of American literature were travel narratives written by Europeans who were exploring the New World. According to Dr. Watson in her lecture titled, “Early Colonization”, these travel narratives were written by explorers who discussed the perils of ocean passage, described the new terrain in comparison to Europe, gave advice to others who wished to brave the New World, and critiqued earlier reports (Watson). One such travel narrative is A True...

...American Life 1920-1940
Daily Life in the United States 1920-1940 was written by David E. Kyvig in 2002 and revised again in 2004. This historical novel documents the transformation America went through during the 1920’s – 40’s. Kyvig addresses numerous events that contributed to the rise and fall of America. The book was written to inform citizens and non-citizens of the industrial, economic, and cultural changes that took place in America. Kyvig establishes stepping stones to America and pieced the book together with contents that range from “Life’s Basics” to “Conflict, Crime, to Catastrophe” in the states.
Kyvig supports his topics with specific events such as the birth of the automobile, the welcoming of women into the political world, and the mass numbers of immigration that flourished the country. He goes in depth on how automobiles changed Americas take on life inside and out of factories and states that, “In 1920 barely one household in three possessed a car, though this represented a dramatic increase from one in thirteen at the outset of World War I. Automobile ownership tripled during the 1920s, and by decade’s end four families in five owned one” (Kyvig p.27). He recognizes and promotes the welcoming of women into the political world to surge democracy and better the economy as stated in the text, “The establishment of national prohibition and...